#309 – Mark Miller (USA), 9th place (leg) / 5th position overall
„Our role today was to support Giniel and Tina. ThatÂs why we waited for them for eight minutes immediately after the start. It goes without saying that we support the team. Our Race Touareg was perfect today, DirkÂs navigation was perfect.Â

dakar.com:
Kleinschmidt pulls out
Jutta Kleinschmidt, who had destroyed the front right wheel of her Volkswagen Race Touareg after hitting a tree, was forced to pull out of the race. At first an assistance truck came to help her but decided to carry on because the problems were too serious. Heading to Bamako, the truck had an accident at km 28 and crashed on its side. ItÂs now back on its four wheels and on its way to the Mali capital.

That means Mark and Dirk have one less team-mate to look out for and on the flip site also one less team-mate that can help them out if needed. More Volkswagen resources can be allocated to the guys but there is also more pressure to do well now.